jillrobinson
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
I let Liam sleep for an hour or so and then we made a move back to the park, we were in time for our BTM fp's but had missed the Buzz ones. In Main Street they were cleaning up glittery bits of streamers and I guessed it had something to do with the parade. I found out when we got home that it had been the official opening ceremony with Andi McDowell. From what I've read on French forums I don't think the general public was allowed to watch this particular ceremony.
There's video of it and some pics over on dlrp.fr
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.dlrp.fr/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddlrp.fr%26hl%3Den
The VIP's were kept well away from us, others there were Phil Collins, Myley Cyress (Hannah Montana fame) and Daniel Powter again there's lots of photos over at dlrp.fr
We did get to see "Alphabet you bet"
The letters dance to the well known M>I>C>K>E>Y>M>O>U>S>E song from the Mickey Mouse Club TV programme if I'm not mistaken, with the lyrics changed to D>I>S>N>E>Y>L>A>N>D.
We had decided to eat late afternoon so made our way over to Planet Hollywood, stopping to watch this pair in the Village - very odd ! To get the real effect you need to hear them but they sounded like they'd OD'd on helium.
We were seated immediately at Planet Hollywood, and the meals very nice but very large, I ordered the Fajitas - at home 8 Fajitas would feed all 4 of us, I managed 2 and a half, Jamie's burger was the size of a dinner plate and as per a recent discussion on the DIS he was asked how he wanted cooked. Liam had chicken strips which he said were very nice but he still wasn't eating properly, none of us wanted a dessert and I was eager to get back into the park just in case they decided to stop people going back in. Adventureland and Frontierland had closed early we knew that so we headed for Discoveryland only to find that all the rides had closed their doors. There
was nothing to do but find somewhere to sit. Central Plaza was for the most part cordoned off so we sat on a flowerbed wall in the Plaza Gardens area, a message came over the tannoy "Ladies & gentleman Disneyland Park is now officially closed but you are invited to stay and help us begin the celebrations for our 15th Birthday, the celebrations will begin in 30 minutes" or words to that effect. Naturally the area we were in and in fact as far as you could see was absolutley packed with people, but as I explained to the boys when the ceremony began they could stand on the wall and have a decentish view.
Then everything went pear-shaped as CM's started to try and move everyone onto Main Street, we're talking about hundreds of people all standing shoulder to shoulder being told to move into an all ready crowded area, it was absolute chaos, children were crying and people were angry, the CM's couldn't or wouldn't give an explanation as to what was happening. I have read on a french forum an account from an offduty CM saying how sorry he felt for his colleagues as they fought to control such a large crowd, and how worried he was that an incident would occur, in the same account he also says he never thought he would hear a CM swear at a guest, I'm guessing that these guys on the ground were as frightened as everyone else. I will be completely honest and say "Hillsborough" was in my mind as I tried to steady myself whilst at the same time trying to ensure that Liam wasn't crushed. How those in charge of organisation thought they were
going to accomplish this crowd movement is beyond imagination, eventually the severity of the problem was obviously brought home to them as the crowd was allowed to edge forward a few feet at a time allowing the empty area between Casey's Corner and the junction with Central Plaza to be utilised. We in fact ended up in the road just a feet away from where we had been originally sat, although no-one was allowed in the large area outside Plaza Gardens
but at last we had a little breathing space, we did have one mishap when a group of teenagers pushed their way through and started larking around annoying everyone, one girl tried jumping on one of the boy's backs, slipped and landed on Liam, he was crying and I did lose my rag, the other guests were equally as fed up and also let these kids know and they did move off, no doubt to annoy somebody else. I placated Liam by telling him the fireworks would be worth all the hassle although I was starting to wonder myself and there were lots of parents taking their children out of the crowd.
Eventually the celebrations began - we could see the castle and Jamie and I could see the stage, but it was of course dependent on whether anyone if front of us moved left or right, Liam remarked that he had "a great view of someone's butt". Daniel Powter was introduced onto the stage and sang
"Bad Day" and his latest release - "Love you lately"
Lumiere was on stage next with the dancers, the music is very dramatic in this part of the celebration and the dancers with the flags are spectacular - I did hold my camera in the air and hope for the best but I haven't 1 decent photograph. So all evening photograhs here are courtesy of DLRP.FR
There were large images being projected onto the castle of characters and smiling faces (from the new TV ad I think) and various colours and patterns.
Then Mickey was on stage, telling us today was a very special day - the candle lighting itself was beautiful, by this time it was dark and to see each candle twinkle one after the other and then when the Fairydust from Tinkerbell shot across the sky I had tears in my eyes and there was a huge gasp from the crowd ( I do hope they change the plans to show it at 6.00 - it needs to be seen in the dark.)
Mickey announced that it was time to celebrate "Our 15 years" and "Just like we dreamed it" started playing - on stage were Donald, Daisy on saxaphone, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy on drums, Pluto - who plays a mean guitar and Chip n Dale on trumpets and then the firework display began and it truly was magnificent with the sky changing colour from blue to yellow and green.
At one point the entire sky above and around us was red, apparently it was the best display DLRP have had for many years.
DLRP.fr has the short official video of the event.
http://translate.google.com/transla...snum=1&ct=result&prev=/search?q=dlrp.fr&hl=en
Everyone had to leave the park, although Frontierland and Adventureland remained open for the VIP's. We walked back through the village stopping off to do some shopping on the way and then it was bed, ready for our early morning pickup to go home.
Those of you who read the French forums will know that there is a lot of anger and resentment out there amongst DLRP fans, because of the events of the 31st March and in their words the despicable way ordinary guests were treated. All I can say is that apart from the fiasco at night, which was all down to appalling organisation from the management, the CM's given the mammoth task of crowd movement can in no way be held responsible for that, none of it affected our stay, we did all the rides we wanted to do and the park wasn't as full as I'd expected, there were constantly areas that we weren't allowed into but it didn't cause us any hardships, perhaps I would feel differently had it been a first trip. With hindsight it would've been very nice to have seen the celebrities and to
have been involved in the daytime events, but I don't feel we missed out on anything, it's all on the net anyway.
All in all we had a fabulous stay.
A bit about the hotel,
The room we were allocated in Yellowstone Lodge was in a convenient location for walking to the park, it is a bit of a pain though being out of the main building, although we were quite near the swimming pool, but didn't have time to use it. Being on the ground floor there was no real view. Our room was tired looking, the woodwork was very dark, in many places it was battered and peeling extremely noticable on dark wood. The area around the wash basin and the bathroom would have benefited from a lick of paint. Housekeeping was poor, on our arrival day there was no soap or bubble bath, on day 2 we had 1 of each left and on day 3 nothing although the used ones were removed. On Saturday morning I woke and my right eye was sore, it deteriorated over the weekend and it was diagnosed as Conjunctivitis on Monday by my GP, I've never suffered with it before, neither has anyone else in the family, knowing how contagious it is and how you should never share towels with a sufferer & given that our housekeeping was so poor I'm erring towards thinking that our hand towel might not have been changed prior to our arrival. Only I used it, DS's used the bath towels.
I would stay at Sequoia Lodge again, but in a Montana room and only if I couldn't afford the NPB, but to be honest I'd be more tempted to book the Cheyenne as an alternative to the NPB.
Thanks to DLRP.fr for providing some fantastic photographic and video memories of our stay, there's lots, lots more over on their website.
There's video of it and some pics over on dlrp.fr
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.dlrp.fr/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddlrp.fr%26hl%3Den
The VIP's were kept well away from us, others there were Phil Collins, Myley Cyress (Hannah Montana fame) and Daniel Powter again there's lots of photos over at dlrp.fr
We did get to see "Alphabet you bet"
The letters dance to the well known M>I>C>K>E>Y>M>O>U>S>E song from the Mickey Mouse Club TV programme if I'm not mistaken, with the lyrics changed to D>I>S>N>E>Y>L>A>N>D.
We had decided to eat late afternoon so made our way over to Planet Hollywood, stopping to watch this pair in the Village - very odd ! To get the real effect you need to hear them but they sounded like they'd OD'd on helium.
We were seated immediately at Planet Hollywood, and the meals very nice but very large, I ordered the Fajitas - at home 8 Fajitas would feed all 4 of us, I managed 2 and a half, Jamie's burger was the size of a dinner plate and as per a recent discussion on the DIS he was asked how he wanted cooked. Liam had chicken strips which he said were very nice but he still wasn't eating properly, none of us wanted a dessert and I was eager to get back into the park just in case they decided to stop people going back in. Adventureland and Frontierland had closed early we knew that so we headed for Discoveryland only to find that all the rides had closed their doors. There
was nothing to do but find somewhere to sit. Central Plaza was for the most part cordoned off so we sat on a flowerbed wall in the Plaza Gardens area, a message came over the tannoy "Ladies & gentleman Disneyland Park is now officially closed but you are invited to stay and help us begin the celebrations for our 15th Birthday, the celebrations will begin in 30 minutes" or words to that effect. Naturally the area we were in and in fact as far as you could see was absolutley packed with people, but as I explained to the boys when the ceremony began they could stand on the wall and have a decentish view.
Then everything went pear-shaped as CM's started to try and move everyone onto Main Street, we're talking about hundreds of people all standing shoulder to shoulder being told to move into an all ready crowded area, it was absolute chaos, children were crying and people were angry, the CM's couldn't or wouldn't give an explanation as to what was happening. I have read on a french forum an account from an offduty CM saying how sorry he felt for his colleagues as they fought to control such a large crowd, and how worried he was that an incident would occur, in the same account he also says he never thought he would hear a CM swear at a guest, I'm guessing that these guys on the ground were as frightened as everyone else. I will be completely honest and say "Hillsborough" was in my mind as I tried to steady myself whilst at the same time trying to ensure that Liam wasn't crushed. How those in charge of organisation thought they were
going to accomplish this crowd movement is beyond imagination, eventually the severity of the problem was obviously brought home to them as the crowd was allowed to edge forward a few feet at a time allowing the empty area between Casey's Corner and the junction with Central Plaza to be utilised. We in fact ended up in the road just a feet away from where we had been originally sat, although no-one was allowed in the large area outside Plaza Gardens
but at last we had a little breathing space, we did have one mishap when a group of teenagers pushed their way through and started larking around annoying everyone, one girl tried jumping on one of the boy's backs, slipped and landed on Liam, he was crying and I did lose my rag, the other guests were equally as fed up and also let these kids know and they did move off, no doubt to annoy somebody else. I placated Liam by telling him the fireworks would be worth all the hassle although I was starting to wonder myself and there were lots of parents taking their children out of the crowd.Eventually the celebrations began - we could see the castle and Jamie and I could see the stage, but it was of course dependent on whether anyone if front of us moved left or right, Liam remarked that he had "a great view of someone's butt". Daniel Powter was introduced onto the stage and sang
"Bad Day" and his latest release - "Love you lately"
Lumiere was on stage next with the dancers, the music is very dramatic in this part of the celebration and the dancers with the flags are spectacular - I did hold my camera in the air and hope for the best but I haven't 1 decent photograph. So all evening photograhs here are courtesy of DLRP.FR
There were large images being projected onto the castle of characters and smiling faces (from the new TV ad I think) and various colours and patterns.
Then Mickey was on stage, telling us today was a very special day - the candle lighting itself was beautiful, by this time it was dark and to see each candle twinkle one after the other and then when the Fairydust from Tinkerbell shot across the sky I had tears in my eyes and there was a huge gasp from the crowd ( I do hope they change the plans to show it at 6.00 - it needs to be seen in the dark.)
Mickey announced that it was time to celebrate "Our 15 years" and "Just like we dreamed it" started playing - on stage were Donald, Daisy on saxaphone, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy on drums, Pluto - who plays a mean guitar and Chip n Dale on trumpets and then the firework display began and it truly was magnificent with the sky changing colour from blue to yellow and green.
At one point the entire sky above and around us was red, apparently it was the best display DLRP have had for many years.
DLRP.fr has the short official video of the event.
http://translate.google.com/transla...snum=1&ct=result&prev=/search?q=dlrp.fr&hl=en
Everyone had to leave the park, although Frontierland and Adventureland remained open for the VIP's. We walked back through the village stopping off to do some shopping on the way and then it was bed, ready for our early morning pickup to go home.
Those of you who read the French forums will know that there is a lot of anger and resentment out there amongst DLRP fans, because of the events of the 31st March and in their words the despicable way ordinary guests were treated. All I can say is that apart from the fiasco at night, which was all down to appalling organisation from the management, the CM's given the mammoth task of crowd movement can in no way be held responsible for that, none of it affected our stay, we did all the rides we wanted to do and the park wasn't as full as I'd expected, there were constantly areas that we weren't allowed into but it didn't cause us any hardships, perhaps I would feel differently had it been a first trip. With hindsight it would've been very nice to have seen the celebrities and to
have been involved in the daytime events, but I don't feel we missed out on anything, it's all on the net anyway.
All in all we had a fabulous stay.
A bit about the hotel,
The room we were allocated in Yellowstone Lodge was in a convenient location for walking to the park, it is a bit of a pain though being out of the main building, although we were quite near the swimming pool, but didn't have time to use it. Being on the ground floor there was no real view. Our room was tired looking, the woodwork was very dark, in many places it was battered and peeling extremely noticable on dark wood. The area around the wash basin and the bathroom would have benefited from a lick of paint. Housekeeping was poor, on our arrival day there was no soap or bubble bath, on day 2 we had 1 of each left and on day 3 nothing although the used ones were removed. On Saturday morning I woke and my right eye was sore, it deteriorated over the weekend and it was diagnosed as Conjunctivitis on Monday by my GP, I've never suffered with it before, neither has anyone else in the family, knowing how contagious it is and how you should never share towels with a sufferer & given that our housekeeping was so poor I'm erring towards thinking that our hand towel might not have been changed prior to our arrival. Only I used it, DS's used the bath towels.
I would stay at Sequoia Lodge again, but in a Montana room and only if I couldn't afford the NPB, but to be honest I'd be more tempted to book the Cheyenne as an alternative to the NPB.
Thanks to DLRP.fr for providing some fantastic photographic and video memories of our stay, there's lots, lots more over on their website.
